DDR – Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Accidents

All credit to original author: 独步云霄

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“Grandmother, she hit me first! My head still hurts and there is a scar. It’s not too much for me to hit her too, right?” Shen Ziqi’s words were very natural, as if it was normal for Shen Jingya to bled over this matter. This was because he was used to being pampered since he was a child. He often beat and scolded his own servants when they made mistakes and he had never seen anything wrong with this.

But now he smashed a stone on his own sister and spoke about it so righteously, how could Old Madam Shen not be angry? “Qi’er! What kind of bandit logic is this? This is your sister, how could you hurt her? What if she is disfigured?”

This grandson was really too lawless! How arrogant he was!

“Grandmother, I…” Seeing that Old Madam Shen was really angry, though Shen Ziqi was unwilling, he didn’t dare to argue. He still knew how to read people’s faces.

Seeing Shen Ziqi admitted it directly and saving her a lot of trouble, Shen Jingya jumped in immediately: “Grandmother, I was just protecting myself! If I didn’t stop him, who knows what would have happened! I must asked grandmother to make a decision for me!” She had a severe headache and had fought very fiercely just now. Feeling wronged, she burst into tears.

Seeing this, Shen Ziqi immediately became angry: “Although I hit you, you didn’t need to hit me back! Grandmother, look! My hands are all blue. She did it on purpose!” Unwilling and stubborn, in Shen Ziqi’s view, Shen Jingya had hurt him so he needed to take revenge. He had never suffered a disadvantage since he was a baby and he certainly wouldn’t now!

“That’s because you threw a rock at me! If I didn’t stop you, what if you did it again? You are so vicious even at a young age. I am your sister! I sincerely apologized to you before, do you need to hold grudges?”

“Hmph, who told you to hurt me?”

“You!”

The two siblings were arguing fiercely until Old Madam Shen suddenly felt a headache: “Okay, you two stop talking. Let the doctor take a look at you!”

Looking at the two children of the second branch, Old Madam Shen was really upset. She used to think these two children were smart and cute. Now look at them! They had both been brought up to be so lawless, how could they do such hurtful things so casually? Even now, neither of them would back down. It seemed that her second daughter-in-law’s parenting was really a problem!

“Grandmother…” Seeing that Old Madam Shen was angry, both children were uneasy. They didn’t dare to argue anymore. They sat in a decent manner but their eyes were full of a mutual hatred that burned between them. Old Madam Shen sighed.

“Call over my second daughter-in-law quickly to see what has happened!”

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“Old Madam, Second Master and Second Madam have been notified.”

“Good, that’s good.” Rubbing her brow, Old Madam Shen was furious. Shen Jingshu, who had been sitting on the side, immediately came forward to help massage her.

“Grandmother, don’t be angry. Qi’er and Jingya are still young, they aren’t sensible yet.”

“Even if they are ignorant, how can they do such hurtful things so casually? What’s more, it’s their own sibling! If they do this, they will be enemies for the rest of their lives.” Looking at the two, she was disappointed and angry. People always hope that their family would be prosperous and peaceful but Shen Ziqi and Shen Jingya were like they were at war.

“It’s alright, grandmother! They are just impulsive children.” Shen Jingshu smiled, playing the role of a kind older sister helping solve problems. It was fine if she didn’t say anything but now that she was saying good things for them, it undoubtedly made things worse.

“Okay, you don’t need to speak up for them! They are too arrogant, we can’t let this go on!” Seeing her two grandchildren like this, Old Madam Shen completely believed that this was the failure of Guo Yuanshuang’s education. She was already planning on taking over their instruction herself.

If she let things go on like this, the Shen family would produce two duds. She would not allow the Shen family’s century old foundation to be ruined just like that!

“Just educate them well in the future, they’re still young! If you educate them well, naturally they will be better.” Seeing Old Madam Shen’s expression, Shen Jingshu knew that the old madam planned on taking over their education. She didn’t care what her cousins turned out like, she just didn’t want them to impact her first branch. So she was happy to see Old Madam Shen intervene.

“You are still sensible, making people relieved!” Old Madam Shen had not thought so before but now that she was contrasted with the second branch, which was always causing problems, Old Madam Shen felt more and more that her eldest son’s children were well behaved and sensible. They never let her worry, which was great.

“Grandmother, in fact, Jingya and Qi’er are just younger than me. I was also very naughty when I was young!”

“Hmph, no matter how naughty you were, you were never as naughty as this!” The more Shen Jingshu spoke up for the two, the more the old madam liked her and the more she disliked Shen Jingya and Shen Ziqi.

“Okay, grandmother! Don’t be angry!” Shen Jingshu put on a cute smile, making the old madam laugh. Though she was still angry at the other two, she just ignored them.

When Guo Yuanshuang arrived, she saw the two distressed faces of her children. Seeing the blood on Shen Jingya’s face, she was very frightened and cried: “Oh my god! What’s going on? Ya’er, Qi’er, what happened to you? How did you become like this?”

She had heard from the servants that Shen Jingya and Shen Ziqi had been injured but she hadn’t had time to ask about the details, so she was very anxious. “Who did this? Tell mother, mother will decide for you!”

Old Madam Shen snorted. “They did it to themselves. Who will Second Daughter-in-law go to?”

“Mother? What’s going on? How did they do this to themselves?” Seeing the doctor treating their wounds, Guo Yuanshuang’s heart was distressed and her complexion was not very good. She felt very uncomfortable.

Her two children were both like this but the old madam didn’t care? Old Madam Shen’s heart really was leaning more and more towards the first branch!

“Why are you asking me? You should ask them yourself! Such good siblings, seeking out such grudges! And such a young child is really too cruel!” Old Madam Shen was so angry, she laughed.

“What does mother mean?” Guo Yuanshuang was confused, she couldn’t understand what the old madam meant.

“What do I mean? Look at how you’ve spoiled this child! After Jingya accidently hurt Qi’er, he has been nursing a grudge in his heart! When he saw Jingya today, he actually threw a stone at her! Look at the wound on Jingya’s head yourself. If this girl is disfigured, what should we do?”

“What?! How can this be! Mother, is there a misunderstanding?” Although she had known that Shen Ziqi had threatened to settled accounts with Shen Jingya, she had thought he was just shouting casually and only coaxed him lightly. How could this have happened…

“Misunderstanding? Qi’er admitted it himself! Am I still wronging him?” Old Madam Shen scowled.

Guo Yuanshuang stared at her in a daze.

On the other side, a weak voice called out: “Mother, sister hit me first. I just hit her back. My head was broken too, what’s the matter?” Maybe because he realized he had done something wrong, Shen Ziqi sounded confused and unhappy.

“You, how could you do this! This is your own sister!” Guo Yuanshuang cried.

“I’m her brother but she hit me too, right?” Shen Ziqi retorted weakly, unwilling to back down. He still felt that he was right.

“It was an accident! She didn’t do it on purpose but you purposely hit her! Qi’er, how could you behave like this!” Guo Yuanshuang couldn’t believe it, how could this have happened?

But Shen Ziqi was a little overlord and used to being lawless. His mother had pampered him so much, that he only knew how to be naughty. “Why not? It’s not serious, I hit the servants around me all the time.”

“You! How can this be the same?” As her grandson’s words became more and more arbitrary, Old Madam Shen’s complexion became worse and worse. Guo Yuanshuang wanted to jump forward and block his mouth, so he would say a few less words and avoid Old Madam Shen’s anger but the old madam had already exploded on the spot.

“Second Daughter-in-law! Look, this is the good son you have taught! When Qi’er was born, I said that I would take care of him but you didn’t want to and now look at how you have taught him!”

Guo Yuanshuang cowered. “Mother, Qi’er is still young and ignorant! Mother, don’t be angry!”

“Still young? He’s five years old, not too young!” Old Madam Shen slapped the table angrily.

“I will discipline Qi’er well when I go back, I won’t let him do this again!” Seeing that Old Madam Shen was genuinely angry, Guo Yuanshuang was very afraid.

Old Madam Shen laughed angrily: “You haven’t taught him well in all these years, you won’t teach him well now! Thinking about it, its best that Qi’er live alone from now on. Invite a tutor to instruct him! Qi’er is not young, it’s time for him to be educated.” Old Madam Shen knew that if she continued to let Guo Yuanshuang be so arrogant, he would only become worse. Naturally, she had to find someone to restrain him!

“Mother! Qi’er is only five, how can he live alone? Daughter-in-law can’t rest assured!” Shen Ziqi was the flesh of her heart, how could she be willing to let him live alone?

“I am doing this for Qi’er’s own good. You spoil him too much! It’s only appropriate to leave him to a tutor to discipline. This matter is settled, no more arguing!” Old Madam Shen’s attitude was very firm. She refused to give in to Guo Yuanshuang.

Seeing this, Guo Yuanshuang couldn’t help but panic.

The old madam waved her hand. “This is for his own good. You are a loving mother and you have made a lot of mistakes, think about it yourself!”

“Mother…”

“No, grandmother! I don’t want to, I don’t want to live alone! I don’t want to study!” Shen Ziqi took after Shen Wenli in some ways and his dislike of reading was one of them. In fact, in a scholarly family like the Shen family, Shen Ziqi should have been tutored from a much younger age but he had refused to study and driven away several teachers. Guo Yuanshuang loved him so she couldn’t bear to criticize him harshly. Even Old Madam Shen had felt that maybe he was just too young and didn’t mind too much. Only now did she realize the seriousness of the matter and want to intervene.

“Qi’er, be obedient. Grandmother is doing this for your own good!”

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“No! I don’t want to be separated from my mother!” After all, Shen Ziqi was still a child and naturally he was afraid to be separated from his mother at such a young age!

“You’re already five, why can’t you live without your mother? I will send someone to take good care of you and your mother will visit you when she is free. What are you afraid of?” Old Madam Shen sighed.

Shen Ziqi burst into tears. “Grandmother, grandmother, I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I know I was wrong! I won’t dare to do it again!” Thinking about being handed over to a tutor in the future, he was very anxious.

Guo Yuanshuang’s heart was breaking. “Mother, look how scared Qi’er is! He’s still young, won’t it be troublesome if those people don’t take care of him?”

Old Madam Shen shook her head. “Don’t worry, I will choose them myself. I will find a few good people to care for him, I won’t wrong Qi’er.” Seeing Qi’er’s arrogant appearance right now, Old Madam Shen knew that she could not change her mind. She had to take this seriously or else she was afraid that the Shen family would be destroyed by this grandson in the future. She would not allow it!

“Mother, Second Master isn’t here yet, you have to let Second Master know about this!” Guo Yuanshuang tried desperately.

But Old Madam Shen was not moved. “Naturally, Wenli will agree to my decision. When he returns, I will explain it to him.”

Guo Yuanshuang was in tears now. “Mother!”

All this crying and bickering was giving the old madam a headache. She glared at Guo Yuanshuang fiercely: “Are you trying to disobey me?”

With Old Madam Shen’s gaze pricking her like a needle, Guo Yuanshuang was a little frightened. “This daughter-in-law dares not.”

“Grandmother, you are a bad person! You are a bad person!” Seeing his mother so terrified and knowing that he would have to live alone with only a tutor, Shen Ziqi was scared that he spoke without restraint.

Horrified, Guo Yuanshuang rushed to cover his mouth. “Qi’er, what nonsense are you saying! Apologize to your grandmother!” Old Madam Shen was already furious, Guo Yuanshuang didn’t want to make her even more angry!

“No! Grandmother is bad! Grandmother won’t let me stay with mother! She is a bad person, I don’t like grandmother anymore!” Shen Ziqi was full of fear and grievances, of course he would speak impolitely.

Guo Yuanshuang could only force herself to smile apologetically at the old madam. “Mother, don’t be angry! Qi’er isn’t sensible, daughter-in-law will coax him!”

“I am doing this for his own good but I have become a bad person. It seems I have loved him for nothing all these years!” Disappointment was written all over her face. Old Madam Shen had loved Shen Ziqi since he was born, she had never imagined her beloved grandson would say such a thing. Her heart was completely broken.

“Mother, this…”

“Okay, now you see it too. If this continues, the Shen family will produce an unfilial son. I can’t allow the Shen family to be destroyed like this. This matter is settled, no matter who begs, it’s all the same.” Old Madam Shen said tiredly.

Guo Yuanshuang couldn’t accept it. Her heart was full of despair, thinking that her child was about to leave her. How could she not feel distressed? This was the son she had looked forward to for many years, was it wrong for her to love him a little bit?

“Grandmother is bad! A bad person, a bad person!” Seeing Old Madam Shen refuse to change her mind, Shen Ziqi became even more unrestrained until not even Guo Yuanshuang could contain him.

“Mother, this—”

Old Madam Shen sighed: “Okay, you take him back and prepare him. Let someone go and clean up the yard. He will go over in three days. Zihan’s master can tutor him for now, but look for another master in the new year.” Watching Shen Ziqi throw a tantrum, Old Madam Shen was irritated.

“Isn’t this a little hasty, mother?” Guo Yuanshuang pleaded desperately. “New Years is coming soon, why don’t we talk about it after the new year?” She really didn’t want to be separated from her son!

“This matter can’t be delayed. Look at him, even going so far as to insult me, his elder! If we don’t start educating him now, who knows what he will be like in the future?” Old Madam Shen shook her head.

“Qi’er didn’t do it on purpose, he’s just too young to know better!”

The old madam rolled her eyes. “Don’t use the excuse of being young, it’s you, his loving mother, who failed him. Since he is still young, there is time to fix this. Don’t argue anymore! Take him back, clean up the yard, and don’t make any mistakes!”

“Mother…” Guo Yuanshuang had never thought the old madam’s attitude would be so firm this time.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

She lowered her eyes. “No, mother. I will go back.”

“Good! And Jingya will stay with me for the next few days. Now that these siblings are having such trouble, it’s not suitable for them to be together.”

“Mother, this…” After taking away her son, she would also take her daughter?

Old Madam Shen turned away indifferently. “Jingya needs to take care of the wound on her forehead, we can’t be sloppy. It won’t be good if it leaves a scar. It’s inevitable that the wind will blow on it if she goes back with you, this isn’t good for the injury. You are also very busy these days and there are things you don’t have time for. I am an old woman and I have nothing to do, so I will worry about this.”

“But mother, won’t this bother you too much? You are older and I still—”

“Enough! I’ve got a headache from all this noise. Take Qi’er and go, I will take care of Jingya here. Go!” After waving her hand, Old Madam Shen frowned and saw off her guests. Guo Yuanshuang had no choice but to accept.

“I’ll go first, mother. Ya’er, you should rest here. Mother will come find you when I’ve settled your younger brother.” She still didn’t understand what had happened. Now that Old Madam Shen had taken away both of her children, she was a little panicked but there was nothing she could do.

“Mother, take care of younger brother first! I’m fine with grandmother.” Shen Jingya said indifferently. She had suffered such a big injury but her mother only cared about Shen Ziqi, not about her. She still felt uncomfortable thinking about all the nice things her brother was wearing. When she thought about the jewelry her mother had taken and sold, she was naturally still angry!

This bias was just too strong! Was it because she was only a daughter? She had suffered a big injury but Qi’er only suffered a small one. As a mother, how could she cover for him and ignore her?

Shen Jingya’s heart was ice cold.

“Okay, Ya’er, take good care of yourself.” When she saw Shen Jingya’s indifferent attitude, Guo Yuanshuang thought that Shen Jingya was still angry with Shen Ziqi, she had no idea that Shen Jingya hated her too. She was so worried about Shen Ziqi, she had no extra time to think about her daughter. Dragging the sobbing Shen Ziqi away, she was thinking about how to talk to Shen Wenli about this and if they could change Old Madam Shen’s decision.

Her mother-in-law loved her husband the most, so she should listen to him, right? It seemed that she could only ask her husband for help now.

She waited for Shen Wenli to come back but was destined to be disappointed.

“Husband, you’re back! The old madam ordered Qi’er to live alone with no one but a tutor to care for him! Qi’er is still so young, I am so worried! Let him stay with us!” As soon as Shen Wenli came back, Guo Yuanshuang was already rushing forward. Shen Wenli gave her a cold look, his eyes so filled with disgust that Guo Yuanshuang felt chilled. “Husband, why are you—?”

“I heard that Qi’er injured Ya’er today? Was Ya’er disfigured?” He looked at his wife coldly. His daughter was good looking, she would be very beneficial in the future. If she was disfigured, what would he do?

“Husband, Qi’er didn’t do it on purpose!” Guo Yuanshuang cried tearfully.

Shen Wenli snorted, ignoring her. “Don’t bother, my mother has already explained everything to me. Qi’er has been spoiled by you. Since mother had decided to have a tutor educate him, then listen to mother. Don’t play any more tricks!”

Guo Yuanshuang was not reconciled. “But husband, Qi’er is still so young! I am worried…”

“You don’t have to worry. Mother has ordered Qi’er’s nursemaid and servants to go with him and even sent her own personal maid to take care of him. Mother has always been very meticulous, Qi’er will be fine.”

“But—!”

“This matter is settled!” Shen Wenli snapped. “You are too arrogant, always indulging him! Look how Qi’er has been taught by you! He even dares to smash his sister with a rock! And he dared to insult my mother! If this continues, won’t the Shen family be a laughingstock? I don’t want my son to become a waste!”

“Husband, how can you say that about Qi’er?” Guo Yuanshuang cried, “He’s just a child! Even if he makes mistakes occasionally, how can he be punished like this?”

“Is this considered a punishment?” Shen Wenli scoffed, “Mother is doing this for Qi’er’s own good! A loving mother spoils the son. It’s fine for him to live alone! I can rest assured that he will be properly disciplined by his tutor.”

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“But Qi’er is only five years old!”

“What’s wrong with five years old? Which of the boys in our Shen family do not start learning at five? Five is old enough! Don’t bother with this matter anymore. In the future, stay away from Qi’er a little more. If he acts out again in the future, see if I don’t come for you!” As soon as Shen Wenli had come home, his mother had scolded him. After learning about Qi’er’s actions, of course Shen Wenli was angry. Now that Guo Yuanshuang was crying and bothering him, he was even more upset.

“How can you treat your wife like this? Qi’er will be so scared by himself!” Guo Yuanshuang said, distressed.

“There is nothing to be afraid of, a five year old should be more independent. It’s good for him! It’s fine if he teaches his servants a lesson but he has become more and more unruly.” Regarding his son, Shen Wenli was more sensible than his wife. Shen Ziqi was his only son, so of course he valued him, but after doing such a thing, even Shen Wenli would not have a good face.

“Husband…”

“Okay, you go and do your own work. Get things ready and send Qi’er over tomorrow to prevent him from causing more trouble.” Annoyed, he left and went directly to his concubine’s room, not leaving for several days.

Guo Yuanshuang was furious but she had no choice but to send her son away. Looking at her son’s crying face, she was completely helpless.

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Now Shen Ziqi was isolated from Guo Yuanshuang. He lived in his own yard and was disciplined by his tutor every day. Old Madam Shen had issued a strict order to discipline him severely. The tutor, who had originally been hired for Shen Zihan, had an excellent education. Being temporarily assigned to tutor Shen Ziqi, he put his heart into it.

Shen Ziqi was naughty and often received a beating. He wanted to sneak back to his mother but was caught every time. The little overlord Shen Ziqi was completely under control now. His teacher was strict, his servants didn’t spoil him, and he was detained and beaten several times in a row. Gradually, he became more obedient than before.

As for Shen Jingya, she didn’t know if she wanted to go back. Old Madam Shen let her rest quietly, recovering from her injury. Guo Yuanshuang came several times to pick her up but the old madam pushed her back every time. Shen Jingya said nothing, her heart chilled by her mother’s behavior.

“Ya’er, are you feeling better? When you’re recovered, go back with your mother!” Her son was gone and her husband was unreliable. Without her daughter, she really felt helpless.

“The doctor said that my head shouldn’t touch the wind, or there will be consequences. Since grandmother is letting me stay here, I will not go back!” Shen Jingya said coldly. Her head looked like this but Guo Yuanshuang hadn’t scolded Shen Ziqi a bit! Wanting her to go back now, this was really a dream.

Isn’t a daughter worthless? But who told her to be her mother’s biological daughter?

‘Ya’er, what are you saying? You’ve always lived with your mother. Don’t bother your grandmother, come back with me!” Guo Yuanshuang coaxed.

Shen Jingya’s eyes filled with tears: “I don’t want to go back with you! Why can’t I stay here! The doctor said that if I leave, I will have a scar. I don’t want my face to be completely ruined!”

“What are you talking about? That kid, Qi’er, he was a little angry, he didn’t mean for it to be like this.” Although the palm and the back of the hand were all the same flesh, they were still different. Especially with Shen Ziqi still locked in his courtyard. Every time Guo Yuanshuang remember that this was because of Shen Jingya, she couldn’t help but blame her. “Did you ever consider that if you hadn’t hit him back then, he wouldn’t end up like this? Now he is locked up by your grandmother, what else do you want?”

“Mother! Isn’t your heart too biased! There will be a scar on my head! Such a big gash, so much blood, you think you can just say a few words and I will get over it?”

Now Guo Yuanshuang was angry too. “Then what else do you want! Qi’er is locked up, I can’t even see him! I don’t know how he is doing now.” Seeing her daughter acting so ignorantly, her expression was getting more and more dissatisfied.

“So it’s all my fault? I’m a daughter, so I’m worthless, right?” Shen Jingya shouted angrily.

“What nonsense are you saying, you little girl!” Her daughter’s words made Guo Yuanshuang very uncomfortable and her tone became bad, disapproval written all over her face.

Shen Jingya didn’t bother to continue arguing. “Mother, I’m tired and I want to rest. You should go back first!”

“You! You’ve been bothering your grandmother for too long, come back with me!” Guo Yuanshuang ordered sternly.

But Shen Jingya ignored her. “No need, I have to take good care of my injury. I don’t want to leave any problems in the future.”

“You—!”

Sitting on the bed, Shen Jingya closed her eyes. “Mother, you are very busy. It’s the new year, don’t forget the jewelry you promised me!” This matter was even more important now that Shen Jingya was worried about her face scarring. She was terrified that she would not be beautiful.

“You brat, it’s really…” Guo Yuanshuang wanted to keep arguing but as soon as Shen Jingya mentioned the jewelry, she couldn’t say anything. After muttering a few words, she left.

There had been no change.

Guo Yuanshuang had sent people to inquire every day but the person who took her money seemed to have disappeared. She was anxious and uneasy every day, feeling as if something bad was about to happen.

And then it really happened.

“Second Madam, Second Madam! It’s not good, I heard that the person who borrowed money from us has gone to sea. Something happened and now there is no news!”

Guo Yuanshuang’s face went pale. “How did this happen!” No news, did that mean that her money was gone? She was so anxious that her eyes darkened and she passed out immediately.

When she woke up, she remembered the promise notes and sent people out to collect them. She never thought that the promise notes had been sold long ago. Guo Yuanshuang realized immediately that she had been tricked!

“Oh my god, tens of thousands of silver! What will we do!?” All the money was gone and the borrower had disappeared. All the IOUs and promise notes in her hand were useless. They might as well be blank sheets of paper! Thinking about the punishment she would receive in the future, Guo Yuanshuang fainted for several days.

“What’s going on, why did you get sick all of a sudden?” When she heard that Guo Yuanshuang was sick, Old Madam Shen quickly sent someone to see her. The doctor diagnosed her as having too much weighing on her heart, overthinking and worrying too much. The cure was to relax her heart!

“How did this happen? Second daughter-in-law, what’s wrong with you?” Old Madam Shen asked, confused.

“Mother, mother…” Thinking of all the money she had wasted, Guo Yuanshuang was filled with guilt and fear. Her tears flowed freely, making her seem very pitiful.

“Okay, okay. Don’t cry, your body is important. Take care of your health, it will be fine.” Old Madam Shen couldn’t say anything, she just let her rest.

“Yes, mother. I’ve made you worry.” They had nothing left, it had all disappeared! All her private money, the public funds, what could she do?

While resting, Guo Yuanshuang had desperately tired to think of a solution but she couldn’t think of anything. She had no choice but to continue pretending to be ill. Uneasy, she sent some people to look for Shen Wenli only to find out that he had been arrested! Guo Yuanshuang almost vomited blood: “What’s going on, why was the master suddenly arrested?!”

“Madam, this slave, this slave doesn’t know! I heard that several officials were arrested today on matters of corruption and bribery. They were recommended for positions but it was discovered and now they are accused. Master has been taken for questioning!”

“How can this be…” But thinking of what Shen Wenli had said a few days ago, Guo Yuanshuang suddenly felt cold.

This, it couldn’t be a coincidence, right?

“I heard that those officials committed a serious crime and embezzled a lot of money. The emperor even ordered their houses to be raided. Second Master, Second Master will be fine, right?” The servant looked nervous.

“No, no this can’t be! Let’s go! We need to find mother, mother must have a solution! Eldest brother can definitely help! Let’s go find them!” She quickly got dressed and went to find Old Madam Shen. When she arrived, she found Old Madam Shen sitting with Shen Wenhua. Both of them had bad expressions.

“Mother, have you heard about Second Master? What can be done?” No matter how unreliable Shen Wenli was, how could Guo Yuanshuang rest easily if her husband was in trouble?

“Look at the good things your branch has done! What has Wenli been up to this days, tell me everything!” Old Madam Shen’s face was so dark, it was nearly black. Her youngest son had actually done such a thing!

What, what did Second Master Do? He must have been wronged! Mother, Eldest Brother, you must help my husband!” Guo Yuanshuang didn’t dare to admit anything yet. If she gave in too quickly, how would Old Madam Shen trust them in the future?

Unfortunately, Old Madam Shen was not an idiot. Seeing that Guo Yuanshuang still refused to tell the truth, even now, she was furious! She immediately threw the teacup in her hand at Guo Yuanshuang.

“Ah! Mother, don’t be angry!” Guo Yuanshuang didn’t dare to dodge and was scalded by the hot tea. Fortunately, her winter jacket was thick, otherwise who knew what she would look like!

Old Madam Shen frowned at her. “Tell me the truth! Do you think everything will be fine if you hide it? The Ministry of Officials has come, saying that Second Brother has bribed officials and the evidence is solid. Can you still deny it? You must tell me clearly, what has he done? How much did he give? Where did he get this much money?”

How could Old Madam Shen not know how much Shen Wenli had? Such a thing happened so suddenly, Old Madam Shen had really been taken by surprise. She was so disappointed in her son but what made her the most disappointed was that he had gathered so much money without telling her!

This money must be from the public funds. The last few years, she had let the second branch manage the house. This secret wealth must be from greed, the old madam couldn’t ignore it!

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TN: I think we’ll be seeing the 2nd Branch’s just desserts very soon!

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Chapter 95

Chapter 97